The Grand Eastbourne celebrates apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week

By Natalie Blachford

The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne is celebrating the value of apprenticeships this week, as National Apprenticeship Week 2018 (5-9 March) is celebrated across the country.

The five-star coastal hotel is a well-known champion of apprenticeships, and currently has 10 employees undertaking apprenticeship qualifications across several departments.

The Grand is championing the use of apprenticeships not only for recruitment, but also as an important method of upskilling existing members of staff, and is encouraging other hospitality businesses in the area to work with local education providers to develop more opportunities.

Sarah Hoyle, personnel and development manager at The Grand, said: “Apprentices are at the heart of our recruitment strategy and succession planning. We work closely with local education providers to identify students who will benefit from an apprenticeship at The Grand and who will be well-suited to our culture of nurturing talent and personal and professional development.

“Over the past year, we have taken our total number of staff on apprenticeships from seven to 10 and hope to increase this further over the next year. The experience that’s gained from studying for a qualification while receiving on the job training is invaluable, and ultimately results in an improved experience for all of our guests.”

The Grand currently employs three chef apprentices in partnership with Bournemouth & Poole College, and seven completing their qualifications through Sussex Downs College. The qualifications being studied include accountancy (AAT), Hospitality Services, Hospitality Supervision and Leadership, Professional Cookery and Front of House Reception.

The Grand Hotel has been named 13th on The Caterer and Purple Cubed’s 30 Best Places to Work in Hospitality List, and was named Best Work Experience Provider at the 2017 Springboard Awards for Excellence, as well as Sarah Hoyle winning the Springboard Award for Individual Ambassador.